Aldersgate Advocate May-June 2009

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May 1, 2009

Beside the Alabaster Jar …

Dear sister and brother,

Five years ago, I traveled on your behalf to Nicaragua to meet Santos Boza, pastor of our sister church Sierra Maestra. While in Nicaragua, I visited with a group of women in Nandasmo, about 30 miles from Managua, who were students and teachers at a sewing school. Since sewing has been an important part of my life, I wanted to meet these women and share with them.

Alicia Perez is the director of the sewing school and I shared with her how working with fabric had given the opportunity for God to open my eyes about heaven and earth. While grieving the loss of my niece in a car accident, I was working with a type of fabric that kept fraying. All of a sudden I came to see that heaven and earth are woven together. Jesus told his disciples frequently that the kingdom of God is at hand. God is the matrix of fibers that holds our lives together.

After I shared this story with Alicia of how sewing helped me to find new faith in God, she shared with me that her sister had died in a car accident just four months ago. She was going through the same crisis of faith that I had experienced and we knew that God had brought us together. This was a moment that left a strong impression on both of us and on the gentleman who was interpreting.

A year ago this past January, Alicia’s husband Felix Munoz died in a tragic accident. She has had a difficult time this past year adjusting to his loss and supporting her young son. But in spite of all this she has felt called to help start Eagle’s Wings, a sewing cooperative of the sewing schools in Nandasmo, Managua, and Leon.

I am very happy to share with you that we expect Alicia to travel with Marlene Rivera, another leader in the sewing schools, to visit us here in New England. We expect them to arrive around June 15^th to be present for the New England Annual Conference session. We plan to have Alicia with us for worship on June 28^th. I look forward to introducing her to the very people who made it possible for me to meet her. Please plan to be with us for worship and hear some of her story.

It is amazing to me how many connections we find in our lives as we travel around our country and the world. I’ve heard stories from you of running into others you know miles from home. God has blessed us with the gift of community; we know that most immediately here at Aldersgate, and we also experience it with sister churches and other churches who have connections with us.

May you know the blessing of community and treasure your relationships with your sister and brothers in faith.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Sharon

WORSHIP and COMMUNITY NEWS

During the months of May and June, we continue to offer two styles of worship gatherings on Sunday mornings. At 8:30, we gather for Word and Sacrament. Each week we serve Holy Communion following the message of the day. In the United Methodist Church all are welcome to come and receive the gifts of God. Several people, some who grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition, have commented to me about the meaning they discover in this weekly ritual find.

This Sunday, May 3^rd, Charles McCrea will offer the morning message and his sermon topic is “Live Is An Action Verb.” Pastor Sharon will serve Holy Communion at the 8:30 service and the choir will sing the “Brother James Aire” based on the 23^rd Psalm. Our new member class will meet again in the library and the Nursery School Task Force will meet following the 10:45 service. Our church school is celebrating Camp Sunday.

The following Sunday, May 10^th is Mother’s Day the lessons for the day include Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, and John 15:1-8. The first is about Philip and his baptism of an Ethiopian, a reminder of the all-inclusive nature of God’s love. The second lesson reminds us quite simply and directly that “God is love” and the third is Jesus’ parable identifying himself as a vine and God as the vinegrower. We are invited to be grafted into the vine.

On May 17, 2009 we celebrate Church School Sunday at the 10:45 worship service. Our children will be leading the service on the theme of friendship. The Angels and Choristers will be singing “Shine” so please try to be present and watch all of the children shine as they praise God. The lessons for the day include Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, and John 15:9-17. We will celebrate the baptism of Matthew Paul Shetler.

Sunday, May 24^th is the last day of the Easter season, Ascension Sunday and this year it is the day before Memorial Day. Yes, it is very early this year. The lessons for the day include Acts 1:1-11 and Luke 24:36b-53, Luke’s story of the Risen Christ’s departure from the disciples. Our sermon title “Turned Around” reminds us of the way in which a relationship with Jesus changes our lives. We will celebrate the sacrament of baptism of Brayden Temperton at the 10:45 service.

Ascension gets us ready for Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Often we celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of the church. This year on May 31^st our Angels and Choristers will sing “Pentecost Fire” and we will experience a reading of Romans 8:22-27 that will help us feel the text. The other reading is the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-18.

On Sunday, June 7, 2009 we recognize three graduating seniors; Alyssa Piper, Lizzie Fipphen, and Laura Franzini. These young women will share their gifts in our worship service. The lessons include Psalm 29, which suggests a thunder storm moving across the narrow strip of land know as the Holy Land and John 3:1-12, the story of Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus.

We celebrate confirmation by or confirmation class on Sunday, June 14, 2009. Baptised as babies, in many cases, this is the day when our teenagers confirm their faith in God. Lessons for the day include 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, the anointing of the young boy David who eventually becomes king of Israel. Like a mustard seed that grows into a great tree, see Mark 4:26-34 (our gospel lesson) those making their confirmation have great potential. The Youth Music Ensemble, the “Yummies” will lead this worship service.

Our Shepherd Bells plan to play at our service on June 21st, as worship on Father’s Day. The lessons include 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 and Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calming the seas. The lesson form the Old Testament is the story of David and Goliath and Pastor Sharon is looking for someone who might be willing to tell the story rather than read it from scripture.

June 28^th is the last Sunday for two services prior to going to one service at 9:30 during July and August. Our gospel lesson, Mark 5:21-43, includes two healings which show the power of Jesus in our lives. We hope to have guests from Nicaragua with us this day and Pastor Sharon has chosen Galatians 3:23-29 as our Epistle lesson for the day as we will celebrate the baptism of Cameron Earl Brown and consider the meaning of our own baptisms. Come and worship! Everybody come.

IMPORTANT NEWS

Pastor Sharon and Peter Smyton believe it is time to put our vision statement that the Council created awhile back into action! As a result, we are planning a 3 hour goal setting session on Saturday, May 30 from 9 – Noon.

This event will replace the May and June Church Council meetings. Though the meeting is still in the planning stages, we will review our Vision, brainstorm a set of goals and activities for the near future. The event is open to the whole church, but in particular we'd like to invite all members of all of the committees so that many voices with different ideas, perspectives, and wisdom can be heard.

Hope you will put this important date on your calendar and help us plan for the exciting year ahead!

Remember our Vision….

Our Vision - Aldersgate United Methodist Church: A beacon of God’s love

radiating faith, hope, and joy…everywhere!

Pastor Sharon, Peter

PRAYER CONCERNS:Chuck, our Graduates, our Confirmands and Mentors, all who have lost family members – to Dan in the loss of his mother; to Janice in the loss of her mother for all those who need God’s healing touch – we pray…

A special thank you to all those who made Holy Week special – To Mike for a meaningful Seder; to our Confirmands for our Good Friday service; to our musicians, soloists, choirs – both bell and Chancel; to Janice and Victor for our beautiful altar; to Dan and Betsey and Sharon for the Easter message through Scripture and the word.

Aldersgate is blessed to have so many talented and dedicated people who touch our lives throughout the year. Especially on Easter, we do shout with joy, “Christ is risen indeed!”

FROM OUTREACH

Outreach would like to thank everyone who put out clothes, helped to sell and clean-up. What a success again we have from all of your work. A total of $753.50 was made so far for missions. All of the change from the sale was put in the offering plate for the “change for change” drive. Again what would we do without you.

Also, on that same note, what a success our sign a board sale was for Habitat. We raised $750 on Sunday toward our goal of $1,000. What a blessing to have Bill Mersh and Pastor Sharon open our eyes through their words to the needs of others. Can you imagine being in need of a home. We are certainly all blessed! We are especially blessed to be able to help others. I feel like I am always saying thank you and it doesn't seem like enough but know that who we help is because of all of you........ THANK YOU,

Deb and your Outreach Committee!!!!

To our Church Family:

Thank you for all your prayers, cards, and support as we deal with Chuck’s cancer. Chuck’s friend has set up a website connected to a fundraising walk they are doing to help raise money for medical bills. You can go to www.walkforchuck.blogspot.com to learn more about this very special walk, and also read about what a loving and caring young man Chuck is. I see God in every day, giving us the hope and love that we need.

God bless you all, Jim, Cheryl, Jen, Chuck, Jessie and Justine.

CHURCH SCHOOL LENTEN

PROJECT
For their Lenten Mission project, the church school classes collected items for My Father's House in North Chelmsford. My Father's House is a residence for teen mothers and their children.

As a result of the generosity of our church school families, we were able to donate eight large packages of diapers, disinfecting wipes and a glider rocker which were all greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all for helping with this year's Lenten project!

A special thank you to my volunteers who faithfully help on preparing the Advocate for mailing and distribution to our congregation. Thank you for your time and the joy you share with one another – it makes a chore a delight! I appreciate you and I thank you! Joanne

Special Thanks to Betsey and family, and helpers for the amazing and quick response to a new Directory for our church. At this writing the photographer is here and we are on our way! Thanks to everyone for their cooperation!

OUR PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

continues to meet on Monday afternoon from 2 – 3:30 PM. We invite you to share your time and talent either by knitting, crocheting or just coming by to chat with a fun group of ladies.

If you are interested in participating in an evening group for the fall, please let Joanne or Gigi know. Also, if you would like to give a prayer shawl to someone special, please let us know! A Prayer Shawl brings comfort to someone who may need that extra touch as a reminder that God is present at a difficult or a joyous time. We can depend on that promise! Thank you! J.

Thank you Teachers

We are so blessed to have such loving and dedicated teachers and helpers. Please take time to thank the following:

Children’s Education Ministries Team:

Jill, Dawn, Christine, Debbie, Sherri and Luann

Teachers:

Preschool Teachers: Nancy, Cate, Susan and Pam

Kindergarten Teachers: Terri and Eric

1^st & 2^nd Grade Teachers: Dottie and Lee

3^rd & 4^th Grade Teachers: Holly and Dianna

5^th & 6^th Grade Teachers: Laurie and Jim

7^th & 8^th Grade Teachers: David and Patrick

9^th – 12^th Grade Teachers: David and Peter

Music: Melinda

Thank you to all the volunteers who subbed when a teacher was out!

ITALIAN BISTRO NIGHT

SATURDAY, MAY 9th

5:00 – 8:00 P.M.

Our Senior Youth will once again be transforming the Fellowship Hall into an Italian Bistro to help raise money for their Mission Trip in August.

The youth will be taking seating reservations after both services. You can also call the office to speak to Cheryl and she can also take your reservations. All are welcome; invite your neighbors and friends!

New Opportunities for Study At Aldersgate!

The Women's Ministry Once a Month Bible Study is going Virtual!

Ladies, are you looking for a bible study where you can participate when you can with no specific day to tie you down?

Well, this is something you might like to try.

The once a month class, previously held at Ginny's the Last Wednesday of the month has been changed to a virtual bible study.

We will begin the study of Joyce Meyers book Battlefield of the Mind on June 1st. If you would like to sit in on this study please contact Ginny through the church office at 978-256-9400. We have an account set up at Yahoo (you will be asked to set up a Yahoo address)

AldersgateUMC_WomensBibleStudy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You will need to get the book, but the study questions will be provided via the internet mail on Yahoo. This is a closed group to the public, unless invited. We will be safe to discuss and question as we choose.

Another new adventure for the Women of Aldersgate....the Daughters of Abraham.
If this is something that may fit into your schedule, give us a try.

Many Blessings Sisters! Ginny

CALLING ALL WOMEN!

Beginning on Tuesday, May 12 at 4 PM, Ginny will be leading a study:

KNOWING GOD: MAKING GOD THE MAIN THING IN MY LIFE

by Kimberly Dunnam Reisman

This study focuses on helping women get to know God in an intimate way.

Participants gain a personal knowledge of God, who loves them

And wants to be the main thing in their lives (Abingdon Press)

www.sisters.cokesbury.com

This study will be in the Concord Room and will continue for six weeks.

Please call Ginny at 453-3099 or chrisgins@verizon.net

if you have any questions

On Sunday, May 3^rd, the 6^th – 12^th grade classes listened to camp stories from youth that have attended a church camp. We have camp brochures for the summer camp programs offered at Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, Rhode Island, Camp Wanakee in Meredith, New Hampshire, Rolling Ridge in North Andover, Massachusetts and Camp Mechuwana in Winthrop, Maine. Please look for the camp brochures downstairs in the hall. There are scholarships available to all children and youth who attend a camp program, thanks to our Doris Miller Camp Scholarship Fund. Please see Cheryl for any questions.

“You Are My Friends”, will be the theme for our worship celebration. All of our church school classes will be participating and leading worship during our second service at 10:45 a.m. We hope that all families can come to learn about friendship and community. Please talk to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

We will recognize them on Sunday, June 7^th, during the 10:45 a.m. service. There will be a brunch for all from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate this milestone in their life!

Our confirmation class will be volunteering at the Lowell Wish Project on Saturday, May 16^th, we will meet at church at 8:45 a.m. and should return to church around 11:30 a.m. Our next confirmation class will be on Sunday, May 31^st from noon – 2:00 p.m. Please bring $4.00 for pizza. Our last class together will be Sunday, June 7^th from noon – 2:00 p.m. Please bring $3.00 for a buffet lunch.

Confirmation Sunday will be June 14^th during the 2^nd service. A brunch will be served for the confirmands, mentors, family and friends from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Please pray for the following youth and their mentor partner: Jeff and Peter, Alexand Jim, Brad and Richard, Sergei and Victor, Rebecca and Ginny, Charlotte and Nancy, Micaela and Deana, Lauren and Laurie, Ashley and Cheryl.

During the summer months, we will offer a special class for 3 year olds – 4^th grade that will meet downstairs in room 7 & 8 after the theme conversation. We will listen to a special story, and do a craft related to the message of the book. If you are interested in helping, please see Cheryl or sign up on the sign up sheet located on the bulletin board beginning on Sunday, May 10^th.

Children, ages 4 through 6^thgrade, are invited to join us each Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. For the month of May, we will be exploring how we are friends of Jesus. Our last class of art/music time will be Tuesday, May 26^th. We will then offer an art time for worship arts from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. from Tuesday, June 2 – June 16.

Cost: $20.00 per child, family max: $60.00 – make checks out to Aldersgate UMC

Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School is a Christian education resource that uses a construction metaphor to help children learn about community. Children will learn a Bible lesson each day, create, assemble and produce projects which can help care for needs of people in the community or for use by Habitat for Humanity volunteers and partner families, and learn about the Bible Theme Story through play and be refreshed by a healthy snack.

Your children won’t want to miss learning about how they are part of a community that helps one another! Register them today and let’s get moving and help our neighbors!

This fellowship group is for young youth in grades 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade. Our mission is to provide your children with a safe, healthy and loving environment to help them grow and experience Christianity

We are inviting the 3^rd grade youth for an evening of games. Bring your favorite game to play, and a topping for ice cream sundaes.

This will be a church-wide event, we will eat and then play softball against the Mighty Men. We need lots of players, I think we might have lost last year!

How well do you know our church building? We will divide up into teams, and each team will have a list of questions they will need to find the answer too. Bring a snack to share.

Are you a skunk or a turtle in the way you deal with anger? We will play games, explore our feelings with art, and create a special snack related to anger.

We are a fun group of spiritually focused youth who celebrate Christ’s presence among us by engaging in community and group activities, church participation and mission projects.

All youth in grades 7 – 12 are welcome to join us at any time and friends are always welcome!

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year! We will need adult volunteers to help.

This will be a church-wide event, we will eat and then play softball against the Mighty Men. We need lots of players, I think we might have lost last year!

We will travel to great brook in Carlisle, hike and have ice cream – bring money for ice cream. We will need chaperones.

We will work at Lowell Wish and then take off for Canobie! Please let Cheryl know if you are interested in going so I can get discount tickets. Friends and family are invited to join us.

If you enjoy getting wet and having fun, come join us as we wash cars to help raise money for our trips this summer. If you have any hoses, sponges, or other helpful equipment for washing cars, please bring it along. Friends are always welcome to join us!